Ask The Expert | Jenevieve Butler: Does my child have ‘selective hearing’ or glue ear?

Does my child have ‘selective hearing’ or glue ear? 

Glue ear is commonly known as 'Otitis media with effusion (OME)'. This is a build-up of fluid inside the middle ear which prevents the eardrum from moving freely, causing a temporary hearing loss in one or both ears. It is a very common condition in children under the age of 8 years and is estimated to affect 1 in 5 children, at any given time.  

What causes glue ear?  

Colds and flu (upper respiratory tract infections), allergies, a family history of ear, nose and throat-related problems, or being exposed to passive smoking may result in glue ear. Children with cleft lip and palate, or genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome, may be more susceptible to recurring episodes of glue ear.  

Symptoms of glue ear – what to watch out for:  

• Struggling to engage in conversation with others. 
• Getting frustrated, because he/she is trying harder to hear. 
• Waking up at night, crying/tugging at the ear. 
• Regularly turning up the TV/radio volume. 
• Clumsy, balance difficulties. 
• Not reacting when being called at a short distance. 
• Talking too loudly. 
• Saying 'huh' or 'what'? Often. 
• Asking for repetition. 
• Speech and language delay/regression. 
• Tires easily, grumpy, unsettled, easily upset. 
• May have an aversion to certain loud sounds. 
• Complaints of sore ears/earache. 
• Disruptive in Class/falling behind academically. 

How can we help? 

Midland Hearing Care specialises in diagnostic audiology assessments for school-aged children (4 year+). A hearing assessment by an audiologist can confirm the presence of glue ear and an underlying hearing loss. A referral will then be made to an Ear, Nose and Throat consultant for grommets. For young children, a period of  'watchful waiting' with review audiometry may be recommended if they have had a period of good hearing, prior to having an episode of glue ear. 

PHOTO: Jenevieve Butler – Clinical Audiologist

How can I help my child?  

Here are some strategies to help:  

• Get your child's attention before you start talking and make sure you face your child as much as possible, maintaining eye contact. 
• Speak at a normal speech rate, don’t over-exaggerate speech. 
• Speak clearly and don’t shout.  
• Reduce background noise by turning off any TV, radio/limit distractions.  
• It is important that you inform your child's caregivers/teachers about their reduced  hearing so that they can also support your  child and arrange appropriate help at school. 

Treatment and management of Glue ear:  

Otovent Balloon: a non-surgical option for the management of glue ear. Available to purchase online from our clinic’s e-store: midlandhearingcare.com/store 

Grommets: also known as tiny ventilation tubes, are surgically placed into the eardrum and are used to treat glue ear. Grommets allow air to ventilate the middle ear to improve hearing. 

Hearing Aids: Recommended for children with a history of recurrent glue ear, those who present with a conductive hearing loss for whom surgery is not recommended or when repeated grommet surgery may not be advised (Cleft lip and palate / Downs syndrome). Hearing aids help to amplify speech and environmental sounds so that children may have restored hearing and continue to develop their speech, language and listening skills.  

How does glue ear resolve?  

In some cases, glue ear will resolve when nasal congestion/middle ear fluid has cleared usually in warmer, drier summer months.  

As children grow older, they usually 'outgrow' glue ear. This happens as the child’s mid-facial structures and head circumference changes. Glue ear rarely persists in children beyond 8 years of age.  

If concerned about your child’s hearing prior to commencing with school in September, please contact Midland Hearing Care to schedule an appointment. 

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Clinic website: midlandhearingcare.com/ | Email us: info@midlandhearingcare.com | Landline: 043 336 8029

Clinic hours: By appointment only. Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm. Please note: our clinic is closed for lunch 1pm-2pm daily

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